Lightning strikes tree, burns down home

Residents: It felt like dynamite blast

Firefighters and residents in Elizabeth Township are calling the latest lightning strike impressive, but scary, after it sent pieces of tree throughout Elway Street and ultimately destroyed a house.

“It felt like a quarter stick of dynamite exploding," said neighbor Carrie Hughes.

Hughes not only felt the thunder, but saw the lightning strike and obliterate the tree across the street.

“I saw a piece of it go into and onto the trailer,” she said.

The tree limbs fell, taking down the power lines and causing the trailer to go up in flames. Fortunately, there was no one inside the home.

Firefighters were quick to attack the fire on both sides, but not before the Elway Street house was gutted. It's not every day fire crews must cut trees out of structures. And it's the first time the deputy chief said he's seen lightning explode so many pieces of a tree, so many yards away.

A sharp limb thrown 30 yards or so, stuck upright in the grass, like a sword. Neighbors described the scene as large toothpicks scattered everywhere. Chunks of tree even hit one neighbor's home, shattering the side window. The homeowner was not injured by the flying pieces of tree.

There were no injuries Wednesday from the incident.

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